Plate holding device



' p 1931. s. B. HARPER 1,822,809

PLATE HOLDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 20. 1929 INVENTOR 15B ar er ATTORN EY Patented Sept. 8 1931 UNITED STATES SAMUEL B. HARPER, OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA PLATE HOLDING DEVICE Application filed December 20, 1929.

My invention relates to plate holding devices, more particularly to plate holding devices for securing a cut or plate in a full page form for newspapers during the process of making the matrix from which the printing plate is cast and it consists in the combinations, arrangements and constructions herein described and claimed.

In the present practice of mounting cuts or 10 plates in the full page form for forming the matrix from said full page form, the plates or cuts are placed on an iron base and the base is then mounted in the form and secured therein by furniture. During the process of forming the matrix from the form, the plate invariably moves from its position on the iron base, thereby leading to misalinement and consequent formation of a defective matrix for casting the printing plate. It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide a holding base for plates and cuts used in these forms that will secure the plate in its position on said base and consequently in the proper position in the form.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which is readily adaptable to use with plate mounting bases now in general use.

A further object of my invention is to pro vide a device of the type described which is readily adjustable as the needs demand.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which securely retains the plate in proper position during the operations thereon as desired,

nevertheless permitting the easy withdrawal and dismounting of the same after the operations have been completed.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which has few parts, is easy to manufacture and does not get out of order quickly.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds and the invent i on will be more particularly defined in the appended claims.

The device is illustrated in the attached drawings forming a part of this application 59 in which Serial No. 415,504.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my device in operative position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view with parts of my device shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of my device (,5 removed from the form.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of an ordinary base plate 1 adapted under the present practice to receive a plate 2 on the top surface 3 thereof. This base is usually made of iron and may be constructed of any suitable metal or other material. In the embodiment illustrated, I prefer to use brass or a similar metal for constructing this plate.

For securing the plate 2 in fixed relation 05 on the surface 3 of the base member 1 during the matrix-forming operation, I provide the base plate 1 with the vertically extending bores f, any number of which may be used, and the use of two of which is shown in this disclosure. 'lhreadedly engaged in these vertically extending bores 4 are the screw members 5 having the sharpened points 6 adapted to extend above the surface 3 of the base member 1. These screw members 5 may be provided with a diametral slot at the lower extremities thereof for the accommodation of a screw driver or other operating means for securing them in the bores. In place of these screw threaded members 5 any suitable means might be utilized to secure the projecting points 6 in fixed relation relative to the base plate 1.

In accommodating my device to the retainin g of plates of large sizes in forms, it is not -S5 necessary to use a great number of these projecting point members as a base plate such as 1 equipped with my projecting points might be placed between base plates such as 7 of the conventional construction now in use, the plate overlying the usual base mem her 7 and securely fastened on the points projecting from the upper surface of my specially constructed base member 1, as seen in Fig. 1. 95

From the foregoing description the use of my device is easily understood. When it is desired to secure a, plate or out such as 2 in a full page form, the base member 1 constructed in accordance with my invention is placed in the form and secured therein by the adjacent base member 7 and usual furniture 8. The chase 9 with its operating member 10 secures these members in tight locked relation. The plate member 2 is then forced downwardly upon the points 6 of the threaded members 5 thereby securing the same against movement in a horizontal plane relative to the base 1. A small force suflices to accomplish this operation as the plates are made of a soft metal, usually lead.

WVhen it is desired to remove the plate after the matrix-forming operation, the same is easily raised from the points 6 with no great difficulty.

It is easily seen that I have provided a plate holding means that will retain the plate or cut in position on the base and that will secure the same agamst lateral movement, usually occurring between sa1d members.

It is also apparent that a narrow base such as that shown in Figure 3 is adapted to secure plates of any size in fixed position when used in conjunction with the ordinary plate bases such as member 7 disclosed in Figure 1.

It is also apparent that the use of the threaded members 5 will by means of their threaded connection with the vertically extendingbores 4 form an exceedingly tight connection between said threaded members 5 and the base members 1. it is further apparent that since these threaded members have their lower extremities substantially flush with the bed 11 of the form, they are practically irremovably positioned in their bores, both vertically and laterally.

I claim:

1. A base for mounting plates, cuts and the like having projecting piercing members adapted to piercibly engage the plates positioned thereupon.

52.. In a plate holding base having vertically y extending bores, threaded members mounted in said bores engageable therewith and having points projecting above said bores.

3. Means for holdin a plate comprising a plate holding base having bores therein and threaded members engageable with said bores and having one end flush with the lower surface of said base and the other end pointed and projecting above said base.

i. A base for mounting plates, cuts and the like comprising points projecting from the upper surface thereof and adapted to engage a plate positioned thereon.

5. A plate fixing member for use with plate mounting base members having flat upper surfaces comprising piercing means adapted to engage and retain a plate.

SAMUEL B. HARPER. 

